Siemens announced the first in what will be a series of partnerships with Intel to bundle its optiClient IP softphone applications into some Intel Centrino Duo laptops.

The pair has co-developed technology that prioritizes a VoIP call on the laptop, even when the machine is engaged in e-mail, FTP or processor-heavy apps. In other words, a user would be able to run several applications while using the Siemens software over a wireless local area network without loss of call quality.

Business users will benefit from enhanced communication capabilities that will enable them to collaborate while on the move, said Keith Kressin, director of marketing of Intel’s mobile platforms group, in a statement.

The SIP-based Siemens optiClient 130 S softphone enables video conferencing, active call forwarding and do-not-disturb. It also is compatible Microsoft Outlook versions and includes lightweight directory access protocol, or LDAP, to access corporate directories.

Boca Raton, Florida-based Siemens also announced a deal with Yahoo to extend VoIP calling to Siemens’ Gigaset cordless phones. Users can use the Gigaset M34 USB adaptor to make and receive VoIP calls using Yahoo’s Messenger.

It enables users to make calls from their Messenger friends’ lists, view contacts and have online presence capabilities. The adapter will be available in the third quarter, said the companies.